Does C Section Medication and Blood Loss make a Woman Gain Weight?

Consultant Obstetrics & Gynecology - Paras Bliss, Panchkula

Caesarean section is surgical delivery of baby through incision in abdominal and uterine wall. The incidence rate of opting for a c-section delivery is mostly 10-20% in India, but it also varies from region to region. In current day practice it is a very safe and life saving procedure. The C section has been instrumental in reducing the maternal and infant mortality rate in India. There are many medical indications of caesarean. Nowadays there is increasing trend in mothers opting for elective caesarean to avoid pain of vaginal delivery. Although it has become a very safe procedure in terms of both anaesthesia and surgery still, it has more complications as compared to vaginal delivery. It is usually recommended and performed when the pregnancy includes some complications.

How is a C Section done?

It is usually done in regional anaesthesia which makes the body numb below the abdomen and the patient is awake throughout the procedure. Medications used are the usual doses of antibiotics and painkillers. Blood loss is approx 800-1000ml which is more than vaginal delivery(500ml). Duration is about 35-40 minutes. Recovery is very fast, early ambulation is preferred. Long term recovery for both vaginal delivery and caesarean is the same. Rest of 6-8 weeks is advised after which patient can assume most of her normal daily activity including light exercise.

No weight gain post a C Section – Bust the Myth:There are also certain myths associated with caesarean. One big myth is that it is associated with increased gain in weight. Fact is that weight gain is not due to caesarean but due to the society’s attitude towards caesarean. Patients take a lot of bed rest and consume rich food after surgery and do not resume their normal activities. Fact is that they can walk from the next day and resume most activities, including light exercise after 6-8 weeks.

Recommendations post a C Section:

After 3 months, abdominal exercises can also be started.

Backpain due to spinal anaesthesia disappears in 1-2 weeks time.

Breastfeed needs just 500 extra calories so diet needs to be well balanced to avoid weight gain

Begin exercise as soon as possible after delivery with advice of doctor. It will restore muscle tone and flexibility and help you loose weight.

So eat well, your baby& exercise to reduce weight whether it is caesarean or vaginal delivery.

Conclusion is that Caesarean per se is not responsible for weight gain.It is the sedentary lifestyle and faulty diet to be blamed. With effort and guidance fat can be reduced and body shape reduced to normal.